Missing Boy Kyran Durnin Believed to Have Been Killed Two Years Ago
Ardee News and Sport – The tragic case of eight-year-old Kyran Durnin, missing from Drogheda, Co. Louth, has taken a devastating turn as Gardaí now suspect the boy may have been killed as far back as 2022. Kyran was officially reported missing on August 30th, 2024, along with his mother, Dayla Durnin (24). However, investigators now believe the child may have died long before the report was filed.
Kyran was last seen in May 2022, around the same time he was withdrawn from school. Authorities initially assumed he had moved to Northern Ireland, allowing the child’s prolonged absence to go unnoticed. A Garda source revealed, “It seems he may have fallen through the cracks,” as the boy’s disappearance remained undetected for nearly two years.
The missing persons report stated that Kyran and his mother were last seen on August 28th, 2024. Dayla Durnin was later found in the UK, but without her son. As the investigation progressed, Gardaí began to suspect that Kyran was not with his mother when she left Ireland and may have been killed sometime in 2022.
Authorities are now “all but certain” that Kyran was murdered well before he was reported missing. Gardaí have been unable to confirm any sightings of the boy beyond May 2022. Investigators believe at least two individuals have crucial information regarding Kyran’s death, and one person has repeatedly changed their account since August.
The case has been escalated to a murder investigation, with significant resources dedicated to locating Kyran’s remains and identifying those responsible. An incident room has been established in Drogheda Garda station, and a senior investigation officer is overseeing the inquiry.
Officials acknowledge that gaps in communication may have contributed to the delay in recognizing the child’s disappearance. Gardaí and Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, are now under scrutiny as questions arise over how Kyran’s absence went unnoticed for so long. While Tusla had engaged with the family in previous years, there were no prior indications of abuse.
Gardaí have expressed confidence in the progress of the case, urging anyone with information to come forward. The formal opening of a murder inquiry is expected to grant investigators additional legal powers to secure evidence and pursue those involved.
As the community grapples with the heartbreaking revelation, authorities remain focused on bringing Kyran justice and providing closure to the case.
Timeline of Events
• 2022: Kyran is withdrawn from school. Officials believe he is transferring to Northern Ireland.
• May 2022: The last confirmed sighting of Kyran Durnin.
• August 30th, 2024: Kyran and his mother, Dayla, are reported missing.
• September 2024: Dayla is located in the UK without her son. Gardaí suspect Kyran may have been killed months earlier.
• October 16th, 2024: Gardaí formally announce a murder investigation despite no remains being found, citing no evidence that Kyran is still alive.